Born in 1931.
Father – G.G. Fetzer, born in 1908
Mother – L.E. Resle (Ressle?), born in 1901
I.G’s ancestory had already come from Germany to the Ukraine during the reign of Tsar Alexander I (AB- this has to be checked: may be they got their during the rule of Catherine II?). They lived in Neuburg (Novogradovka), 25 kms away from Odessa.
I.G’s father was the head of the kolkhoz farm. The kolkhoz workers grew numerous kinds of vegetables and fruits. They even grew wine and possessed a wine cellar. The father never attempted to become a rich man, accumulate a fortune and have everything in abundance, although he had the possibility to advertise affluence.
Sweet cherry trees, acacias (along the road) and apple trees grew in the village. And they all were coated by white colour up to a height of 1 meter. The houses were built all of stone, the roofs were covered with reed.
On the 2 August 1941 he was arrested without giving reasons. Many years later only, I.G. learned about his fate: they accused him of anti-Soviet campaigns and executed him on the 2 October of the same year. Aside from him they arrested another twenty men, four of which were also shot dead – father (the head of the kolkhoz farm), his secretary and two teachers. (AB – did this really happen in 1941? Wasn’t the Odessa Region under German occupation at that time? Judging from the applied method, this probably happened in 1937, the year of the Great Terror, and, as for the month, it is just the same: immediately after the “German” NKVD operation had become known, it was realized. Has to be proved by means of the Odessa martyrologue).
No punitive measures were taken against the Germans. They were assigned land for own use and were even given back their confiscated vineyards. The people started to work like Troajns again (“although they had always been working hard; but now they drudged twice as much” – I.G.).
I.G. attended the second form for the second time. Alle lessons were held in German at that time, which was obligatory (the students were not taught Russian). The Lutheran church reopened, they even sent for a clergyman from Germany.
On the 28 March 1944 they were ordered to set out for Germany: the German troops began to withdraw and took the “Volksdeutsche” (ethnic Germans; translator’s note) with them by force. The food rations were calculated and prepared for a travel time of forty days: rusk, chicken wrapped with bacon, cooked meals, dried apricots. In addition to these foodstuffs they decided to take along garments, as well as a blanket and a cushion per person.
Novogradovka – crossing the Dniestr by ferry – Moldavia – Romania – Bulgaria – Hungary (where they were confiscated their horses and ordered to board a train) – Poland. At first they lived in the town of Vreshen (Pol.: Wrzesnia; littlehamlet in Poland; translator’s note). They were provided with foodstuffs against presentation of food ration cards, against which they received bread, meat, jam and fresh butter. They were fed quite well.
A klittle later they found themselves in Germany, in the village of Kimritz (not far from Halle (Saale)). They were accomodated at the house of a baker, who owned a little store. He was dealing with all kinds of ingredients to ameliorate batter (milk, butter, eggs), as well as bread and rolls. His wife was not a very friendly and sociable person, and I.G. was at pains to avoid running into her, unless it was unavoidable, or enter the house soiling the floor. I.G’s second brother was a completely unsettled person. He used to run to and fro, unable to sit at least for a few seconds without moving. In order not to unnecessarily anger the landlord (and run into the house too often), they pressed a piece of bread with jam and butter into his hands.
I.G. recalls the day when Americans marched into Kimritz – strong, tall, good-looking men, as if they had been particularly selected for this purposes. Some of them arrived with automobiles of the “Ural” brand (AB – they were more likely “Studebekers”) and machine guns upon their shoulders. Nobody offered resistance. Just one American died, but this happened by mischance. A little later Soviet troops arrived. Rumours were afloat that they would soon send everybody home. In fact, they were deported straight to Siberia. When they, finally, became aware of what fate had in store for them, it was too late, and there was no chance to escape anymore.
They went to Krasnoyarsk by train and then continued the trip on board a paddlesteamer called “V. Maiakovskiy”. On the 13 October 1945 the reached Krutoy Log. Some were forced to spend the night outdoors, on the riverbank, just wrapped in blankets which were all covered by hoar-frost in the morning. I.G’s family, however, was fortunate: they had the possibility to sleep in uncle Vanya’s house. They stayed with him for four years. Four families (16 individuals) lived in this house altogether; they slept on plank beds. They spent most of the time in Krutoy Log, in the fifth track section, where they worked for the timber industry. They also stayed there during the week and only went home for holidays. In 1950 they finally settled down in Krutoy Log forever. From that time they worked in the nineth track section (9 kms away from Kargino). In 1962 they built their own house. In Krutoy Log they lived in miserable conditions, but in peace and quiet. They never locked the doors and were always prepared to put totally unknown people up.
At the beginning they were assigned a piece of land, two-hundredths in size, where they began to grow vegetables for their own needs. Over the years, their lot became bigger and bigger. As from the 14th year of his life I.G. worked for the timber industry. Little by little she got accustomerd to this new way of living.
I.G’s mother was an skilled seemstress. She took 1,5 rubels for sewing one dress. Later she ordered a sweing machine from podolia (by mail). Her second and her youngest brothers fabricated fishing appliances, which they then positioned both in the lake and in one of the sidearms of the river. They mainly nourished on their catch.
Irma received a daily bread ration of 600 grams; mother and brother who did not earn any money at all were distributed 200 grams, but sometimes it happened that they had to go away empty-handed.
I.G. fell trees for the timber industry, cut off branches and twigs and finally chopped everything into firewood. Occasionally, she floated timber. She did a good job, always worked earnestly and to the best of her knowledge. She was awarded several prizes (brown silk, a cream-coloured dress … Unfortunately, she was forced to swap everything for food).
I.G. has six children, her family (including granchildren, children and sons and daughters in-law) comprises ,more than fourty people.
I.G. is anxiously aiming to listen to her conscience; she is very religious. She is now 77 years old and has been working all her life. Even nowadays she gets up at sunrise every day and goes to sleep late. I.G’s little farm looks exemplary – a real showpiece. 32 different species of dahlias, asters and gladioli are growing in her garden. She is on affectionate terms with both human beings and plants. I.G. is a very pleasant, lovesome woman.
Interviewed by Irina Saranova and Maria Pichueva.
(AB – comments by Aleksei Babiy, Krasnoyarsk “Memorial”)
Fifth expedition of history and human rights, Novokargino 2008